Transfers produce for Colonels against Oregon

Published: Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 3:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 3:10 p.m.

Henderson is one of four transfers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs that decided to attend Nicholls State University before the 2013 season.

Nicholls was in need of an infusion of talent after a second consecutive 1-10 record in 2012 and a 14-game conference losing streak that included several lopsided defeats.

The Colonels (0-1 overall) suffered another lopsided defeat in a 66-3 season-opening loss to nationally-ranked Oregon at Autzen Stadium.

But unlike past embarrassments, there were several reasons to feel positive about the Colonels performance against the Ducks and Henderson’s play was one of those positives.

Henderson, who prepped at East St. John High School, dropped on the Tulsa’s depth chart over the summer and went in search of an opportunity and remembered the Golden Hurricane 66-16 win over Nicholls last season.

With a first-hand look at the Colonels offense, Henderson (6-feet, 210-pounds) knew his skills would fit, and against Oregon, he showed why.

Henderson completed 21-of-40 pass attempts for 214 yards, no touchdowns, but no interceptions. He also rushed 16 times for 46 yards and had a touchdown run call back due to a holding call.

Henderson said he jokes all the time about last season’s Tulsa game, but if not for that game, he may have gone elsewhere.

“Yea it is funny. We talk about (the game) all the time in the locker room. I knew that Nicholls was a good school and once I find my comfort level, I’ll do well in the offense,” Henderson said. “What Coach (Charlie) Stubbs wants is his quarterbacks involved in every aspect of the offense. We run quarterback draws and read option, and that is my style. We ran that at Tulsa and in high school, so I thought I would be a good fit.”

Stubbs initially brought in Henderson as an athlete, but the fourth-year Colonels head coach recognized quickly he had a talent at quarterback.

“When we brought him in, I just wanted another athlete in the program. We promised him a chance to play quarterback to see where he fits, but I can see that he fits in that position,” Stubbs said. “He is starting to learn the terminology better and the plays. He is a tremendous athlete with a strong arm. It is going to be a nice quarterback competition, but I’m sure I will need them all. You know how it goes here.”

It didn’t go very well for quarterbacks playing behind the Colonels offensive line last season. The offensive line surrendered 43 sacks, and that punishment led to former starter Landry Klann having offseason shoulder surgery, amplifying the need for Henderson.

To make sure Henderson and the other quarterbacks don’t end up on the operating table in 2013, the Colonels added a couple of offensive linemen to help in pass protection.

Memphis transfer Nick Chartain and SMU transfer Ashton Duhe both will provide depth and leadership to the offensive line.

Chartain (6-4, 325) played in 19 games, starting in 13, while at Memphis, and was in on several snaps for the Colonels against the Ducks.

With one season of eligibility remaining, Chartain said he and Nicholls are helping each other. He can bolster the offensive line while putting together a resume’ for NFL teams.

“Things happen for different reasons to different people. It is my senior year, and I really want to put some tape out and build up my resume’ to get to the next level, while doing the best I can for Nicholls,” Chartain said. “They brought me here to play tackle, but I am more comfortable inside. I’ve been playing there for two years. I just feel like wherever they need me to help, that is what I want to do.”

Duhe, a junior, will have to wait another week before he can contribute. He didn’t dress for the Oregon game.

Duhe (6-3, 300) played in five games at SMU and worked at guard and center for the Colonels during fall camp. Duhe was also part of back-to-back state championship teams at Destrehan, so finding a new school close to home was a bonus.

“When I did visit, they showed me some clips, and I thought I could fit in at guard, and they thought I could also play center,” Duhe said. “I like having two positions because you should know the assignment for the guy next to you. I am working at left guard, right guard and center and so far it has been a great transition and everything is great.”

Stubbs said with the addition of Chartain and Duhe to his returning offensive linemen, he expects to be better equipped to handle defensive fronts.

While the Colonels did give up six sacks to the Ducks, their offense had 22 first downs and gained 343 total yards in the game.

“The biggest thing that I am excited about is we will be more competitive up front. All my coaching friends asked me what is the difference at this level and it is linemen. The teams that have good linemen win, and those that don’t, well,” Stubbs said “We’ve been working hard in recruiting, and we had 16 offensive linemen come to camp. That has never happened before, and they are some good quality linemen. We hope that will get us off to a good start.”

Also making an impact against Oregon was punter/placekicker Connor Fryoux, a junior, who was at Louisiana-Monroe the past two years. Fryoux kept the Ducks return game in check averaging 42.8 yards on five punts.

Fryoux (5-10, 180) said most transfers have played in big venues against bigger opponents and his performance showed he wasn’t intimidated by the crowd in Autzen Stadium.

“I am really excited. My guys have done a great job of making me feel comfortable here. Coming from Louisiana-Monroe, I have had my fair share of excitement playing in big venues with some luck beating some teams,” Fryoux said. “The biggest thing is to change the way of thinking. We know we are a small school, but we feel like we can compete. We know we are a small school, but we do have as much talent as bigger schools. We just need to put it all together.”

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